Many terms in league bowling may not be directly related to the game’s rules, but they are important to learn, especially if you want to go into professional bowling. One of these terms is shadow bowling.
Practicing on the lanes before a league officially starts is known as shadow bowling. You can also call it “pre-bowling” or “warm-up bowling.” Shadow bowling is done without pins and is meant only to get a feel for the lane.
It’s no secret that practicing on the bowling lane before a league can be extremely beneficial. It gives bowlers a chance to warm up and get a feel for the lane and allows them to work on their technique and try out different approaches.
Pre-bowling goes on for about 10 minutes, and then the game starts. Players can make important decisions about their upcoming games during this short time. The most crucial decision during shadow bowling is which ball they will use during the league.
However, there are many other benefits of attending shadow bowling. Let’s find out why practicing is important and how beneficial it is to bowl without pins.
Why is Shadow Bowling Important?
Every bowling lane is different. One thing that makes each lane different from others is its oil pattern. Even pro bowlers must throw several practice deliveries before knowing how each ball reacts on the lane. They use this information to decide which ball best suits a particular lane.
Here you can read more: How to Read Bowling Lane Oil Patterns.
Another important thing to understand before participating in a competitive bowling game is how a lane affects the ball’s path. By practicing their forward swing, bowlers can determine the direction of the ball and how farther they need to take their forward swing.
The practice also helps to fine-tune your release and address some problem areas. You can get a sense of timing during these 10 minutes and experiment with different types of deliveries to see what works best.
By attending the practice session, which happens only 10 minutes before the game, players can work on their technique and try different approaches. Doing this can ensure they are prepared for their league and have the best chance of success.
If you want to be a part of shadow bowling, arriving at least 30 minutes before the league is scheduled to start is important. You will need time to put on your bowling gear and examine the balls. Once they open the lanes for shadow bowling, the idea is to start immediately and get the most out of this short practicing session.
Who Should Attend Shadow Bowling?
Shadow bowling is particularly useful for players who have just started bowling in PBA leagues. These bowlers have experience playing on house lanes, which are quite different from tournament lanes. It has been observed that the ball that normally hooks on house lane conditions goes straight on tournament lanes.
Read more about PBA in our article here: PBA – Professional Bowlers Association.
One of the biggest differences between house and tournament bowling lanes is the amount of oil on the surface. House lanes are typically only lightly oiled, while tournament lanes are heavily oiled.
This results in a faster and more slippery surface on tournament lanes. The extra oil also makes it more difficult for the ball to hook, meaning players must be more accurate with their shots. This is where the importance of shadow bowling comes in.
Throwing a straight ball is important to get more spares. And therefore, shadow or practice bowling gives these players a shot at being comfortable with their ability to throw a straight ball.
Is Shadow Bowling Done Without Pins?
Earlier in the days, pins and rake boards were not used for shadow or practice bowling. Bowling without pins is a good way to practice, as it allows you to focus on the arrows rather than the pins. However, the newer machines are not made to offer shadow bowling without pins.
The advantage of bowling without pins is that it allows you to focus on your form and technique rather than on hitting the pins. During shadow bowling, you can experiment with different angles and release points. This is possible only when you’re not aiming for a particular pin.
One thing that bowlers learn when they bowl without pins is how tightly they should grip the ball. By experimenting with different types of grips, they can change the angle of their ball and create different results.
For example, if they grip the ball with their fingers closer together, they will create more spin on the ball, and it will hook more. If they grip the ball with their fingers further apart, they will create less spin, and the ball will not hook as much.
Experimenting with different grips can help you find the grip that works best for you and helps you bowl more accurately on a new lane. Bowlers can still determine the best grip and prepare for the big game, even if there are no pins.
However, the grip is not the only way that helps you experiment with different angles. Changing your stance can also contribute to more accuracy in bowling. It has been observed that if you stand closer to the foul line, you can make the ball go straight. Standing further back from the foul line will create less power and make the ball hook more.
All these experiments are possible only if you’re practicing without pins. However, shadow bowling with or without pins greatly helps bowlers to warm up and choose a ball according to the lane conditions.
What Are Shadow Bowling Balls?
Some bowling balls are known as shadow bowling balls, not because they are meant for shadow bowling but because they come with a polished finish and have a shadow logo. These balls are made of urethane or reactive resin coverstock.
You might want to read: Finding the Perfect Bowling Ball: Cost vs. Quality.
Columbia 300 Shadow is the most notable example of a shadow ball. Some of these balls are now retired and cannot be used in leagues.
